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​Lieutenant Joshua Roaf, an instructor at the Department of Naval Services at the Univeristy of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, completed a ten week internship at Naval Medical Research Unit- Dayton.

DAYTON – Ohio Lieutenant Joshua Roaf, an instructor at the Department of Naval Services at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, selected Naval Medical Research Unit- Dayton (NAMRU-D) to complete a Masters of Professional Science Internship. Roaf served as a graduate intern for the Environmental Health Effects Laboratory at NAMRU-D from May - August 2017

After searching for a unit that would further develop his abilities to serve, he found NAMRU-D.

“NAMRU-D was one of the only places I found where I could conduct inhalation and environmental health research,” said Roaf.

Roaf provided project support for the command’s Environmental Health Effects Laboratory (EHEL) and the Naval Aerospace Medical Research Laboratory (NAMRL). His primary initiative at EHEL focused on the protection of the submariner community, documenting oxygen and carbon dioxide exposure limits set for Navy submarines.

“I am able to capitalize on my skills, such as pathology and toxicology, communication, leadership, program management, and finance. The experience gave me a new perspective,” said Roaf.

Roaf’s experience as a Surface Warfare Officer prepared him to support NAMRU-D’s research efforts to evaluate military personal protective equipment, which included chemical, biological, radiological, and nuclear defense mission oriented protective posture (MOPP) gear.

Throughout his graduate internship, Roaf observed the various collaborations between the U.S. Air Force 711th Human Performance Wing and NAMRU-Dayton regarding the physiological episode research efforts at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base.

“While he completed many other tasks, his primary effort was in direct support of the Submarine Environment Advisory Board to substantiate exposure limits, ensuring the safety of Navy sailors in a confined submarine environment,” said Dr. Karen Mumy, Director of EHEL, NAMRU-D.

“My time here provided me with a fresh perspective of things,” Roaf said, “It’s refreshing to see how other naval officers are supporting the fleet.”

Roaf plans to complete his degree in May 2018 and is looking forward to furthering his commitment to the Navy.

By working with military, government, academic and industry partners, NAMRU-D develops innovative solutions to the aerospace and environmental health threats faced by our Navy and Marine Corps.